Eating and Drinking: Seven Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias

As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we've learned eating and drinking become significant challenges. Through our experiences, and what we've learned from support groups and others on their journeys, we've developed seven important tips to help you and your care receiver navigate dining.

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Additional Resources Mentioned

• Episode 13 - Incontinence Overnight here 

These resources contain affiliate links so we may receive a small commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you.

• Bibs here 
• Spork here 
• Lowbowls here
• Grippy placemats here 
• Other great caregiver dining aid products here

Takeaways

Tip 1: Observe Their Natural Eating Habits

• Observe and record how they naturally eat and drink (e.g., time of day, order, how they cut their food, which hand they use for each utensil).
• Continuously observe, adjust, and share with others who are helping your care receiver with their eating and drinking. 

Tip 2: Utilize Pre-made Meals and Visual Cues

• Leave pre-made meals in easily accessible places (e.g., eye-level in the refrigerator).
• Use visual cues like notes on the refrigerator or preset table settings with a note where the plate will go that tells your care receiver where the meal is.
• Check to make sure they have actually eaten their food and finished what they had to drink so you know if they’re able to understand what to do.

Tip 3: Pre-cut Food, Adjust Portions, Observe How They’re Able to Eat and Drink

• Pre-cut food into manageable pieces.
• Consider converting sandwiches and other foods into finger foods.
• Be aware of changes in hand stability, grip strength, vision, and coordination.
• Some people with dementia diagnoses lose regulation with their appetite. It’s important for us to observe how they’re eating and the portions they’re eating to make sure they’re getting the